???YOUR Personal Favorite???Why???

MBL 126 are pricey at just under your budget of $15K but the price includes the stands and they're an omni.

I can only say KEF Reference 1’s because that is what I have. I am open to new ideas though not sure what would beat them. 

I am very pleased with my pair of 15-year-old PSB Image 2Bs for which I paid $200!!!! My top 2 replacement choices are the Goldenear BRX and the Genelec G3 based on numerous stellar reviews I've seen and read.

1st place- Green Mountain Audio Chroma w/ the upgraded crossover. Unflappable, completely transparent and if you like SPL they have that in abundance.

2nd place: Nola Brio w/ the Nola Subs… Something about that Nola sound is so captivating. I made a clone of these cause at the time I couldn’t afford them. Amazing with small jazz ensembles, vocals , acoustic guitars… they don’t reall “rock” but that’s not what they are designed for. 

Time for my broken record imitation....Revival Audio Atalante 3 monitors. The most pleasingly balanced speakers I've owned. 

All the best,
Nonoise